"Even one play would be a remarkable achievement for the 28-year-old cornerback, who not long ago seemed to be on the verge of a Pro Bowl and a lucrative, long-term contract," Vacchiano wrote. "But then came the Giants’ preseason game on Aug. 22, 2011, and a blitz with 22 seconds left in the first half. As he closed in on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, he awkwardly collided with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul."

Thomas played at Rancho Cucamonga High before enrolling at USC in 2003. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery in 2005 but came back and was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 2008 draft.

Now, after two more knee surgeries, he is trying to make the team.

“At first it was, not no more,” Thomas told Vacchiano. “At the end of the day, I just want to play football. Whatever comes next I am ready for. That’s what I have learned over this journey the past two years. I worked my butt off this last year, to get back over this third ACL.”